Zambia school makes penpal appeal

FOLLOWING the success of the recent Shetland to Zambia Gym Project, an opportunity has arisen for schools in Shetland to become involved in supporting a school in Africa.

The headteacher of Nakatindi Community School in Livingstone, Zambia, Choonga Lewis, has written to Mark Wylie, who led the project to share gymnastic skills in Africa this July.

Mr Choonga is asking for pupils from Shetland schools to keep in touch with his pupils to share their experiences and learn more about life on a different continent. He continues by saying his pupils very much miss the group from Scotland who taught them gymnastics in the sand.

Mr Wylie said the opportunity would provide a chance for pupils in Shetland to learn about African culture and the challenges which face pupils living in one of Africa’s poorest countries.

He said: “Our trip to Zambia this summer was a fantastic opportunity for us to share some of our skills and give something back. It certainly made me appreciate just how much we take for granted living in the western world but also to see that children – however poor they may be – enjoy similar activities such as playing games and gymnastics.

“It would be great to be able to continue to make a difference in Livingstone by encouraging schools here on Shetland to form relationships with Nakatindi Community School.”

The class of 9-11 year olds from Livingstone are keen to write to children of a similar age who live on Shetland. There are currently 35 pupils in this class.

Mr Wylie added: “I’d be really keen to hear from any school or perhaps a class teacher interested to be involved in this project. I know that it will make an enormous difference to the pupils at Nakatindi Community School who made us feel so welcome when we were there.”